Counseling With Sara

Connection-First Counseling is a private practice in Austin, Texas, dedicated to helping individuals find self-knowing and peace amidst life's complexities. We understand that you're good at holding things together, but the weight of modern life can be overwhelming. Between global anxieties, relentless personal expectations, and the constant tug of relationships and responsibilities, it's no wonder you're tired and yearning for a sense of ease.

At Connection-First Counseling, we believe in a compassionate and collaborative approach to therapy. Our founder, Sara Miller, is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and brings her own lived experience alongside her training in clinical mental health counseling and relational neuroscience to create a safe and welcoming space for healing.

We recognize the incredible power of our stories and believe that the narrative we tell ourselves shapes our reality. While life may present challenges and hardships, we strive to help you reclaim your narrative and embrace a more authentic and fulfilling existence.

My Journey to Therapy

Sara's own journey to therapy was marked by significant life transitions and challenges. Experiencing infertility, recurrent pregnancy loss, her mother's cancer diagnosis, her father's death, and complex familial relationships led her to seek support and healing. Therapy proved to be a transformative experience, revealing the inherent strength and resilience within her. This deep personal connection to the therapeutic process ignited a passion within Sara to guide others on their own journeys of self-discovery and healing.

Embracing Neuroscience and Heart-to-Heart Connection

Connection-First Counseling integrates the latest advancements in neuroscience with a genuine, heartfelt approach to therapy. We understand that your experiences, both positive and negative, have shaped your brain and influence your thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. By utilizing the principles of relational neuroscience, we aim to unravel the intricate connections between your past experiences, present challenges, and future aspirations.

Our Services: Individual Psychotherapy

Individual psychotherapy provides a dedicated space for personal growth and transformation. Sara offers personalized therapy sessions tailored to your unique needs and goals.

Healing the Past

We explore early experiences and the meanings you attributed to them during childhood in a family system. Together, we work to illuminate the roots of guilt, shame, anxiety, and other emotional patterns that may be hindering your growth. Understanding your past empowers you to move forward with greater clarity and self-compassion.

Finding Joy in the Present

We address challenges such as self-doubt, burnout, mental overload, setting healthy boundaries, and navigating perfectionism and people-pleasing. We aim to help you create a life that aligns with your values and aspirations, finding joy and fulfillment within.

Navigating Transitions

We offer support during difficult life transitions, including grief and loss. We approach these experiences with empathy, patience, and practical guidance, helping you navigate the complex emotions and find ways to heal and move forward with a renewed sense of purpose.